Pipette.



L. J. NIGKELS.

PIPETTE.

APPLICATION IILBD MAY s, 1913.

Patented Apr. *7, 1914,

CDLUMEIA PLANOGRAPH C0..wASH|NGToN. D. c.

ITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESLIE JOHN NICKELS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

PIPETTE.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, LESLIE JOHN Nrcimts, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Pipettes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in and relating to pipettes; and the object and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred mechanical expression, or embodiment of my invention from among other formations and arrangements within the spirit and scope of the invention.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved pipette whereby receptacles, particularly small receptacles, suoli as fountain pen barrels or the like, can be easily and conveniently filled with liquid without danger of over filling the receptacles or otherwise spilling the liquid during the filling operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable and efcient pipette, particularly intended for use as a fountain pen barrel filler, and of such construction as to prevent the liquid being handled over fiowing and spilling from said barrel during the filling operation.

A further object of the invention is. to provide an improved pipette for transferring liquid to receptacles, embodying a suction and receiving chamber, such as a bulb, having a receiving and discharge tube, in connection with an air or vent tube or passage to said chamber and a finger controlled means for opening and closing said vent tube, the air inlet opening of said vent being so arranged as to be closed by the liquid in the receptacle being filled to cut od the flow of liquid from said chamber when said receptacle has been filled to the desired level, to thereby prevent the liquid overflowing and spilling from said receptacle.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and lin combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly specified and set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings z-Figure 1, is a longitudinal section on Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 8, 1913.

Patented Apr. '7, 1914.-.

Serial No. 766,441.

an enlarged scale, showing part of a fountain pen barrel and the pipette in operative filling position with respect thereto, the barrel being shown filled with liquid to the desired level and hence the vent tube being shown closed against flow of air to the bulb. Fig. 2, is a perspective view of the pipette. Figs. 3 and 1l, are sectional views to illustrate the yoperation of filling the pipette with the liquid to be transferred to a fountain pen barrel or other receptacle. Fig. 5, is a detail cross sect-ion on the line 5 5, Fig. 6. Fig. 6, is a detail side elevation, showing portions of the pipette and of a fountain pen barrel in longitudinal section.

In the particular example illustrated, I show an elongated rigid or stiff tubular member, nozzle or barrel l, at a distance from its outer extremity formed with fixed or rigid stops 2, adapted to engage the upper edge of the receptacle to be filled and thereby limit the distance that said member projects down into said receptacle. At its upper or opposite end portion, said member is formed with spaced rigid exterior ribs or annular shoulders 3, between which the neck of the bulb is held to said member.

The bulb is collapsible, and is preferably composed of rubber or other suitable elastic material, and is formed with a relatively thin or flexible wall port-ion constituting a diaphragm or finger controlled valve 5. The remaining portion of the bulb wall, in this example, is relatively thick and hence stiffer or not so flexible as the said diaphragm, and in fact I show the bulb formed with a circumferential thickened Portion 6, at an intermediate portion of the bulb between the diaphragm and the bulb neck.

The tubular member l, is formed with a longitudinal liquid duct or passage a, at its outer or lower end open at the outer eX- tremity of said member and at its inner or opposite end open into the bottom of the interior of the; bulb. The tubular member is also formed with a separate and independent longitudinal a-ir or vent duct or passage Z), having its open inlet or outer end spaced a distanceupwardlv and longitudinally of said member, from the open outer end of the liquid duct a. The inner, upper or outlet open end of said duct t), is located within the bulb adjacent to said flexible diaphragm of the bulb and above the liquid level within the bulb and so that said diaphragm is operatively arranged with respect to said outlet end to open and close the same under the control of a finger of theV operator. The outer or lower end of the 'tubular member is formed with a reduced phragm when pressed thereagainst to close' the duct b.

In the operation 0f filling the bulb with the liquid to be subsequently discharged into the receptacle to be filled, the bulb is diametrically compressed by the fingers to expel air therefrom and the diaphragm is pressed by a finger against rigid extension 1l,to close the air or vent duct outlet, and the lower end of the tubular member is then completely immersed in the liquid to be withdrawn (see Fig. 3). `While the end of the tubular member is thus immersed, the bulb is allowed to expand while the fingerholds the diaphragm pressed in and closing the vent duct or tube outlet, and the liquid will be thereby drawn into the bulb through duct a, (see Fig. 4l). The end of the tubular member is then withdrawn from the liquid and inserted into the open end of the receptacle to be filled (for instance a fountain pen barrel c, Fig. l) with the gage stop or stops 2, engaging the wall surrounding the mouth of the receptacle and gaging or limiting the distance that said member projects into the receptacle. The pressure of l the finger of the operator on the diaphragm 5, is then released, and said diaphragm springs back to normal position spaced from the outlet end of the vent or air duct. Air is hence permitted to fiow into the bulb through said vent duct and the liquid is thereby allowed to flow from the bulb through the liquid duct a, and into the fountain pen barrel or other receptacle. The liquid will freely flow into said barrel while the vent duct remains open, butwhen the liquid in the barrel rises to and closes the inlet end of the vent duct, the flow of air to the bulb will be automatically cut off and hence the flow of liquid from the bulb will be stopped (see Fig. l). The inlet end of the vent duct is located a distance below the gagey stop 2, to determine the level to which the barrel c, or other receptacley is to be filled with liquid. The stop 2, is usually so arranged that the receptacle can be filled to a predetermined level located a distance below the top edge of the receptacle, to avoid liability of overflowing and spilling of the liquid from such receptacle even when the screw or other pen-and-feed-carrying plug of the fountain pen is inserted in the barrel;` hen the barrel, or other receptacle, has been filled to the predetermined level and the liquid seal Vclosing the vent duct is established, the diaphragm 5, is depressed t0 close the outlet end of the vent duct, and the pipette is then withdrawn from the barrel or other receptacle. The' surplus liquid in the bulb can then be discharged into the bottle or original source of liquid supply by placing the pipette thereover and releasing the finger pressure on the diaphragm 5, and if so desired compressing the bulb.

The gage stop 2, can be of any suitable form and construction although in the present example, I show the same composed of a pair of lateral oppositely projecting triangular comparativelythin wings or edgewise-arranged blades having their edges converging for the purpose of quickly draining therefrom the liquid that may adhere thereto when the tubular member is withdrawn from the supply of liquid.`

The liquid cannot rise in the fountain pen barrel or other receptacle being filled, above the level of the inlet end of the air duct as the liquid will seal said inlet when the pre* determined level is reached and surplus liquid will rise in the vent duct until equilibrium is established within the .bulb and ducts and this liquid is retained in the bulb and said chiots when the pipette is removed with the vent duct closed at its outlet end 100 by the valve forming diaphragm 5.

The bulb is preferably stiffened below the diaphragm to reduce to the minimum compression of the bulb when the diaphragm is depressed.

I preferably locate the outlet end of liquid duct a, a distance from the inlet of the vent duct, to prevent liquid issuing from the liquid duct from beingqdrawn into the' vent duct by the air rushing into the inlet 11o end of the vent duct,

Pipettes in accordance with my invention can be made in Vvarious sizes according to the purposes for which they are to be employed, although at present my invention is 115 primarily intended for use as a fountain pen filler. Y

I do not wish to limit all features of my invention to a pipette wherein the suction chamber or pump is formed by a rubber or 12o other elastic bulb, nor do I wish to limit all features of my invention to a pipette wherein the finger controlled vent controlling valve is formed by a portion of the wall of a suction chamber.

It is evident that various changes, variations and modifications might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

Desiring to secure the broadest protection legally possible, what I claim is l. A pipette of the character substantially as described, having a vent duct, a lingercontrolled valve for controlling the same, and a liquid duct, said liquid and vent ducts having inner and outer open ends respectively, the outer ends of said ducts being arranged adjacent to each other.

Q. A pipette comprising a tubular member provided with a suction chamber and having a longitudinal liquid duct opening into the lower part of said chamber and a longitudinal air duct opening at its outlet end into said chamber above the liquid level therein and having its inlet end arranged adjacent to the lower end of said member, said member provided with an exterior gage stop near its lower portion, and a nger controlled valve for said air duct.

3. A pipette comprising a finger-controlled suction chamber provided with a tubular member projecting therefrom and having a longitudinal liquid duct open at the outer end of the member and at its opposite end open into the bottom of said chamber, and having a longitudinal air duct at its inlet open at the outer end portion of said member and at its outlet open into the upper portion of said chamber, a portion of the wall of said chamber forming a valve for opening and closing said outlet.

4. A pipette having a suction chamber formed by a compressible bulb, said bulb having a vent tube opening thereinto above the liquid level therein, a portion of the wall of said bulb being arranged to act as a valve controlling the outlet of said tube into said bulb, and a liquid duct opening into said bulb, said vent tube and said duct having outer openings arranged adjacent to each ot er.

5. A pipette having a vent duct with its inlet end arranged to form an automatic liquid seal to stop the iiow of liquid from the pipette, said pipette comprising a suction chamber into which said vent opens, and a liquid tube opening into said chamber.

6. A pipette embodying means forming a suction chamber and a liquid duct opening thereinto and having an outer opening and an air duct opening thereinto above the liquid line therein and having an outer opening adjacent to said outer opening of the liquid duct, and means for controlling said air duct.

7. A pipette embodying a bulb forming a suction chamber and embodying a flexible diaphragm, and a rigid tubular member projecting from said bulb, and having an extension within the same terminating adjacent to said diaphragm, and at its outer end having an extension, said member forming a longitudinal liquid duct opening into the bottom of the interior of said bulb and at its outer end opening through the said outer end extension, said member also forming an air duct having an inlet end adjacent to said outer end extension and an outlet opening through the end of said extension within the bulb.

8. A pipette comprising a rigid tubular member and a suction chamber, said tubular member provided with exterior gage stops having converging edges, said member formed with liquid and air ducts opening into said chamber and also having exterior openings.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LESLIE JOHN NICKELS.

Witnesses:

A. I-I. NIoKnLs, H. L. NICKELS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

